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Story summary
- NASA tested a cryocoupler intended for in-orbit refueling.
- L3Harris built the cryocoupler.
- NASA circulated liquid nitrogen through the device at –321 °F.
- Project manager Travis Belcher tested connected and disconnected configurations while simulating misaligned dockings to verify off-axis capability.
- NASA said the fully automated coupler can attach and detach repeatedly without a spacewalk and could refuel spacecraft with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in Earth orbit.
